President Barack Obama formally nominated Thomas Perez on Monday to become his next secretary of labor, calling on the Senate to swiftly confirm the Justice Department official.

Obama introduced Perez, an assistant U.S. Attorney General, at the White House this morning. Perez would be the only Latino member of Obama's second-term cabinet, replacing another prominent Latina, outgoing Secretary Hilda Solis.

"His story reminds us of this country's promise," the president said of his nominee. "Tom's made protecting that promise for everybody the cause of his life."

"Tom's knowledge and experience will make him an outstanding secretary of Labor, and there's plenty of work to do," Obama added.